The Lemon Index

All cars · Audi A4 · 2018

2018 Audi A4. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index45100 = average car
Complaints16NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold34,566U.S. model year
Per 100K sold46complaints
Year rank#3 of 4#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM-S7)FWD27 / 37 / 31Premium$2,500
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM-S7)AWD24 / 34 / 27Premium$2,850
2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAWD24 / 33 / 27Premium$2,850
3.0L 6-cyl turboAuto (AM-S8)AWD21 / 30 / 24Premium$3,200

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,400 and 13,500 miles. Median 7,000, from 13 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes31%
Transmission & drivetrain19%
Engine19%
Body structure19%
Electrical19%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
6240103

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 21V874000 Nov 2021 Seats

    Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

    Risk. A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new reme

  • 19V547000 Jul 2019 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

    Risk. A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.

  • 18V836000 Nov 2018 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.

    Risk. If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.

    Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.

  • 17V675000 Oct 2017 Structure / Body / Door / Hinge And Attachments

    Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.

    Risk. The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

    Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.

Manufacturer communications 1121

Audi filed 1121 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This bulletin contains instructions for oil leaking from the vehicle without a DTC
  • This bulletin contains instructions for using the UV additive to find engine oil leaks
  • This technical service bulletin provides troubleshooting for brake noise

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Audi A4 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Audi A4 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Audi Allroad SW AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★not rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2016351234,687Lights
2017833337,674Airbags
2018451634,566Brakes
201917526,435Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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